A comparative study of family structure and health status in Ondo State, South west, Nigeria

摘要

Objectives: The main aim of the study was to explore the influence of family functioning on the health status of two-parent and one-parent families based on the Family System Theory. Methods: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional comparative design. An adopted intervieweradministered questionnaire which was administered to 250 one-parent families and 250 two-parent families was used. Family functioning was measured using general functioning scale of family assessment device while BMI and blood pressures measures were used to determine parents' health status. Results: Findings showed a statistically significant association between family structure and family functioning ( t (1332) = 13.763, p Conclusion: It is paramount for community health care professionals especially community health nurses to engage more in family focused intervention such as improving family health behavior as a tool for meeting family health and health care support needs.